Hughes Center & Ward Hall

The Ward Lecture Auditorium, which has played host to hundreds of international musicians as well as music students through the years, debuted a brand new look and improvements to benefit both audiences and performers Monday, September 25, 2007.

Renamed Ward Hall at it's re-opening ceremony September 25, the $200,000 renovation this summer, has transformed Ward, originally constructed as a lecture hall in 1966, into a performance hall, with more stage area, a green room for performers and better lighting on the stage. The renovated Ward Auditorium, which seats 250, will be the home for the Artist Series’ 2007-08 season and will host events for local music teachers and their students.

Future audiences will not only notice the changes in the hall itself – new wall sconces, carpeting and hardware – but later this year there will also be changes in the lobby, with new furniture designed to make the lobby a more comfortable place to mingle before events.